Edo attack: NRC MD suspects sabotage, another kidnap victim rescued

Some unpatriotic people have been fingered in the recent attacks on train passengers and railway facilities in Nigeria, the latest being the kidnap of 32 people on Saturday from Tom Ikimi train station in the Iguebe community of Edo State.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television.

This is coming just as another victim, a woman, has been reportedly rescued by security agencies combing the forests in the area.

Okhiria wondered why the attacks were coming at a time the Federal Government is embarking on projects to modernise the nation’s railway system and many people were beginning to embrace the rail travel system.

He said the corporation was yet to complete its security architecture of train stations across the country when the latest attack occurred.

He also faulted the proposals being submitted at this time by many consultants on how to secure the railway corridors, pointing out that they were driven by personal financial gains rather than patriotic zeal.

Okhiria said the attacks on the Nigerian Railway system were deliberate and an act of sabotage.

He however said Edo State Commissioner of Police and his men were still in search of the kidnappers and doing everything possible to ensure the release of other victims, adding that the remaining victims were suspected to be divided into groups.

“From what they are saying, I think they divided the people in captive in groups. That is the information I have,” he said.

Asked if there were possibilities that in the next 24 hours another set would be rescued, he said, “We hope so, the intensity the security and community have deployed to ensure that we are not embarrassed.

”I think something good will happen very soon because people have been out there since Saturday and they are still there.”

On the security measures the government had said they put in place to ensure safety of the railway system and what went wrong this time, Okhiria said, “Nothing went wrong. As I said, you plan and you also have people who are trying to sabotage your thoughts.

“At this point, we have not got to the peak of that security architecture we want in our stations, although it is out of the ordinary; we don’t have that in railway operations.

“We have been liaising with the security agents, the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Air Staff to raise the security committee that the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, set up which is made up of the military personnel to ensure that the right people are deployed in our train stations and to the train.

“I don’t think there is perfect security situation. Even the United States, they still tackle security issues. We just pray that Nigerians change their minds because that is the best way we can live in peace and the earlier we apprehend these evil people the better for everyone.”

The NRC boss said further that security measures were not being limited to Abuja-Kaduna or Lagos-Ibadan train stations, adding that it is general security for the railway system.

Okhiria said train services on the Warri-Itakpe corridor had not been halted, noting, however, that the train would not be making a stop at the Tom Ikimi Train Station for now.

Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the rescue of another victim of Saturday kidnap.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said, “Yes, a woman has been rescued, making a total of seven persons so far rescued.”

Vanguard reports that police have also deployed helicopter to the area to assist in aerial surveillance of the forests in the area.

A leader in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “All the security agencies have gone back to the forest this morning (yesterday) but one of the operatives told me that they are tracking the kidnappers and their victims but if they want to use force, they will jeopardize the safety of those in captivity.

”They want to be tactical and professional in the way they want to go about it. As we speak, about two hours ago (2pm), they brought a helicopter and the helicopter is flying around the area, the security agents are working, let us see what will come out of it. Our prayer is that those people are released unhurt.”